Lehigh Valley Kayak and Canoe Club
Instruction and Education Committee
2019 Report
The following is a report on the efforts of the Instruction and Education Committee for the 2019 fiscal year (Nov 18 – Dec 19).
Pool Classes – January 6 – April 14. The Lafayette pool was rented for the purpose of providing indoor paddling practice for general membership. Instruction was provided ad hoc on rolling and stroke technique by various members during open pool time. 84 adults and 10 children took advantage of the pool at least one time. Formal instruction was provided in weeks 1-3 for recreational kayaking, 4 and 5 for coastal kayaking and weeks 6-12 for moving water kayaking. Sixty one people attended at least one class. While these classes are not ACA skills classes, they are based on the skills required for beginners once they get out on the water. At this time there are continuing classes on water for whitewater and recreation.
Recreation. Instructors Dan Rempp and Linda Martin (with helpers). 12 members took the class.
Coastal. Instructor Cie Stroud (with helpers). 10 members took the class.
Moving Water. Instructor Scott Douglas (with helpers). 15 members took the class.
Rolling Clinic. Instructor Scott Douglas (with helpers). 14 members took the class.
Beginners Series. Instructor Eric Schweitzer (with helpers). April 28 – July 7. This is a continuation of the pool sessions, typically limited to those people plus safety boaters. 13 members participated in one or more classes on the Little Lehigh and Lehigh. Additional Lehigh River trips were conducted after the end of the series, with some students participating. While some students left the series in the middle because it was “more than they wanted”, nine students graduated with “novice” status at the end of the series.
Tuesday Night Practice. Instructor Eric Schweitzer and Pat Beltz (with helpers). May – Aug. Informal Tuesday night practice sessions on the Little Lehigh and the Lehigh (Marvins Gardens), with oversight and coaching from Eric, Pat and others. Averaging about 7 participants each night.
Whitewater Self Defense. Instructor Eric Schweitzer. An ad hoc rescue class was given to a half dozen participants on request. Likely to be formally offered next summer.
Intermediate Series. Instructors Scott Douglas, Andy Williams, Charles Lockett, Pat Beltz and Eric Schweitzer (with helpers). June 9, July 20, Aug 17, Nov 3. Four one-day intermediate skills classes were offered, on Tohickon, Mongaup and Lehigh rivers. 28 members participated. There was also a guided first timer river trip on the Tohickon (Nov 2). 8 members participated. At least one skills class and the guide class were cancelled due to lack of sign-ups.
Canoeing. Instructor Dan Rempp (with helpers). Various dates. Club provided opportunities for the general public to paddle a canoe, many for the first time, at the Walnutport Canal Festival (Oct 20) and at the Northern Lehigh Recreation Center (July 14). While some basic instruction was provided, these are essentially guided self discovery, rather than formal instruction. It is not known how many students attended the Northern Lehigh Recreation class, but only a few intrepid souls braved the cold and rain at the Walnutport Festival this year.
Recreational Kayaking. Instructors Dan Rempp, Linda Martin and Sheldon Linn. A one day paddle stroke clinic taught at Lake Nockamixon on June 13. 3 members participated. A one day paddle stroke and rescue class taught at Beltzville Lake on June 24. 2 members participated. An assisted rescue clinic was taught on Lake Nockamixon on June 27. 3 members participated. Canoe and kayak lessons were given at Lake Nockamixon on July 28. 4 members participated. A paddle float rescue class was taught on Lake Nockamixon on August 8. 2 members participated.
Coastal Kayaking. Instructors Cie Stroud and Dave Dawson. Five coastal kayaking classes were held. A navigation and piloting class was held at Janes Island on May 17, 4 attended. A Level 3 stroke and rescue class at Berkeley Island on Aug 17, 4 attended. An open water class was held on Sept 14 at South Amboy, 4 attended. A level 3 stroke and rescue class on Sept 29 was held at Berkeley Island, 8 attended. A coastal navigation and piloting class was held on October 20, taught by others, unknown attendance from LVKCC.
First Aid/CPR. Instructor Jim Schulte. Two First Aid workshops were conducted, one for certification, one for Instructor Certification. Seven people attended the certification workshop. Pat Beltz, JC Rankin, Chad Rankin and Scott Douglas obtained their CPR/AED/Basic First Aid Instructor Certification.
ACA Certified Instructor Development. One Instructor development workshop was sponsored by the club this year, for Level 1-4 Kayaking taught by Scott Douglas and Ben Morton on the Lehigh. Four people attended this workshop, but none were members of the Club. Scott Douglas completed his Instructor Trainer certification (L2) and obtained an update for his L4 Whitewater Instructor (report on the IT development provided under separate cover). Cie Stroud obtained an L3 Coastal Kayaking Instructor certification.
Current Instructor Certifications
Scott DouglasWWKL4/RKL2I/IT2023
Susan WentzWWKL4/SWRL4Iunknown
Andy WilliamsWWKL4I2023
Eric Schweitzer WWKL4 I 2023
Gery Kirkner WWKL3 a I 2023
Heather CichowicWWKL3raI2023
Charles LockettWWKL3I2023
Joshua SmithWWKL3rI2023
Linda MartinRKL2I2023
Gale MaleskeyRKL2I2023
Ed BerryRKL2Iunknown
Beth BerryRKL2Iunknown
Pat BeltzIKL1aI2023
JC RankinIKL1I2023
Chad RankinIKL1I2023
Dan RemppIKL1I2023
Skip MoyerIKL1I2023
Hans WagnerIKL1I2023
Dave DawsonIKL1I2023
DeRay BurtonIKL1I2023
James SchulteIKL1aI2023
Cie StroudCKL3I2024
Steve Johnson CKL2 IT unknown
Greg Wojcik WWCL3 I Expired
Tony BroadwaterWWCL4IExpired
Bob NovakRKL2IExpired
John RakoWWKL4ITExpired
